“It’s all about my team.”
That’s the bottom line for Victoria Morgan (Pasadena, California) if you ask how she got to her current level of professional golf.
A University of Southern California 2017 graduate, Morgan began her collegiate career as a walk-on, struggling to break 80. By her senior year, she was on scholarship, as well as an All-Pac 12 First-Team member and All-American Honorable Mention performer.
“At USC, I learned the importance of the people that surround you,” said Morgan. “Since I left, I’ve created a new team. Whether that’s a golf coach, trainer, mental coach, sponsor, fan (such as host families), or former teammates to practice with, these people mean everything to me. They’re the reason I believe I can make my dream come true and make it on the LPGA Tour.”
Her progression caught the eye of Nike and TaylorMade, each of whom sponsor Morgan. With the backing of two high-profile companies, she is undoubtedly in good hands.
Meanwhile, it was her swing coach Wade Berzas, as well as Trojan teammates and coaches, that pushed her in college. If it wasn’t for her commitment to excellence, and their dedication to helping her find success, Morgan’s path might have gone a different direction.
“I began working with Wade right after I walked-on during the spring of my freshmen year,” Morgan said. “He took my game from the level of a Division I walk-on to a Division I All-American, and now professional golfer. Wade believed in my potential and actually inspired me to consider turning pro. He is an invaluable member of my team.”
Since her USC days, she has added to her inner circle. It all starts with health and conditioning, a component of life as a professional athlete that Morgan understands the importance of.
“I train with Josh Loyo, a golf performance trainer and physical therapist at ForeFitness in Southern California,” said Morgan. “Last season I began to notice that during long stretches of tournaments, my body would begin to breakdown if I wasn’t keeping up in the gym. I put in a lot of work this winter and will continue when I am on the road.”
Last year, Morgan made her Epson Tour debut at the Four Winds Invitational. She played in 14 events overall and earned two top-10 finishes.
Now with an understanding of how the show goes, she is focused on ending this season in the top-five on the Race for the Card money list. One of the newest members to her team might just be the final addition she needs to reach that goal.
“The best decision I made this off-season was to begin working with Jim Gormley, the head golf professional at Palos Verdes Golf Club,” Morgan said. “Jim works with a handful of LPGA players and I originally got to know him since he is a volunteer coach for the USC women’s golf team. He has completely transformed my short game, which has historically been my weakness. I honestly feel like a different golfer now.”
She has instrumental pieces on her team to guide her along the professional journey. However, there is also one other aspect that keeps Morgan grounded and relaxed.
“I’m actually writing a book,” said Morgan. “Under the mentorship of a law professor at USC, I wrote an article for the USC Law Journal before I graduated last May, and during the process I realized how much I genuinely enjoy writing. I’m a very academic person, so writing keeps me from getting too consumed with golf.”
By the end of her first full season on the Epson Tour, who knows, the pieces just might fit perfectly into a puzzle that advances her to the LPGA.
“I expect to start strong,” Morgan said. “That being said, no matter what happens, I won’t be discouraged. I am 100 percent confident that I am a better athlete than I was last year and throughout college. I believe that will show this season.”
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